Team Manager reference: R-185684

Are you a passionate retail leader seeking an opportunity to make a significant impact in a dynamic, customer-focused environment? This Team Manager position within a Waitrose shop offers a compelling career path for individuals eager to blend strong leadership with a genuine love for food and service. As a cornerstone of the team, you'll be instrumental in shaping the customer experience and driving commercial success.

This role presents a unique chance to lead and inspire a team, embodying the distinctively Waitrose ethos of passionate partners serving food lovers. You'll be at the forefront of operational excellence, ensuring your shop thrives through exceptional customer service, meticulous merchandising, and robust commercial acumen. The emphasis on "Partner-led, customer service" highlights a culture where collaboration and individual contribution are highly valued, fostering loyalty and repeat business.

Key Advantages for Candidates:

• Leadership & Impact: Directly influence the day-to-day operations and long-term success of a Waitrose shop, leaving your mark on the customer experience and brand perception.
• Team Development: Play a crucial role in managing, motivating, and developing your team, creating a supportive and productive work environment where individuals can thrive.
• Commercial Growth: Utilize your commercial skills to directly contribute to maximizing sales and profit, with opportunities to minimize wastage and optimize operations.
• Customer Focus: Champion exceptional customer service, building trust and loyalty that drives sustained business growth.
• Ownership Culture: Become a Partner within the UK's largest employee-owned business, sharing in both the responsibilities and rewards of success. This unique model fosters a sense of belonging and collective purpose.
• Night Premium: For those who join or are enrolled in specific arrangements from October 5th, there's an attractive Night Premium of £4.50 per hour for work undertaken between 22:00 and 06:00, offering enhanced earning potential.
• Career Progression: This role is a stepping stone within a respected retail organization, offering opportunities for growth and development within the John Lewis Partnership.

Key Considerations for Candidates:

• Pace & Resilience: The role is fast-paced and requires resilience to effectively manage change and support your team through evolving retail landscapes.
• Diverse Responsibilities: Beyond team management, you'll be involved in all aspects of shop operations, from merchandising and availability to regulatory compliance and customer satisfaction.
• Flexible Hours: The position requires flexibility to work early starts, late finishes, evenings, and weekends. While work-life balance is supported, adaptability to varying schedules is essential. Discussion about flexible working arrangements with the hiring manager during the interview is encouraged.
• Essential Skills: A proven track record of leading teams in a fast-paced, customer-centric environment is crucial. Strong people management, retail passion, and advanced communication skills are non-negotiable.
• Desirable Qualifications: While not always mandatory, experience with disciplinary processes, regulatory compliance, holding a Personal Licence, or Level 3 Food Hygiene certifications can be advantageous.
• Pre-Employment Vetting: Be prepared for potential pre-employment vetting, which may include DBS checks and financial probity checks, depending on the role requirements. Prompt completion of these documents is recommended to avoid delays.

This Team Manager role at Waitrose offers more than just a job; it's an invitation to become a valued Partner in a business that prioritizes its people and customers. If you are a driven, customer-oriented leader with a passion for retail and a desire to contribute to an employee-owned organization, this opportunity could be an excellent fit for your career trajectory.